Staff Use of Technology

1998-99 Self-Evaluation Rubrics

Please judge your level of achievement in each of the following competencies. Circle the number which best reflects your current level of skill attainment. (Be honest, but be kind.) This tool is designed to help understand your current level of skills with computer technologies and to plan for professional development.

1. Basic Computer Operation

___ Level 1     I do not use a computer.

___ Level 2     I use the computer to run a few specific, pre-loaded programs.

___ Level 3     I run two programs simultaneously, and have several windows open
                        at the same time.

___ Level 4     I trouble-shoot successfully when basic problems with my computer or                         printer occur. I learn new programs on my own. I teach others basic                         operations to my students.

 Return to top of page

2. File Management

___ Level 1     I do not save any documents I create using the computer.

___ Level 2     I select, open and save documents on different drives.

___ Level 3     I create my own folders to keep my files organized and understand the                          importance of a back-up system.

___ Level 4     I move files between folders and drives, and I maintain my network
                       storage size within acceptable limits. I teach students how to save and                         organize their files.

 Return to top of page

3. Word Processing

___ Level 1     I do not use a word processing program.

___ Level 2     I occasionally use a word processing program for simple documents.
                         I generally find it easier to hand write most written work I do.

___ Level 3     I use a word processing program for nearly all my written professional
                         work: memos, tests, worksheets, and home communication. I edit,                          spell-check, and change the format of a document

___ Level 4     I teach students to use word processing programs for their written                         communication.

 Return to top of page

4. Spreadsheet Use

___ Level 1     I do not use a spreadsheet.

___ Level 2     I understand the use of a spreadsheet and can navigate within one.
                        I create simple spreadsheets and charts.

___ Level 3     I use spreadsheets for a variety of record-keeping tasks. I use labels,                         formulas, cell references and formatting tools in my spreadsheets. I choose                         charts which best represent my data.

___ Level 4    I teach students to use spreadsheets to improve their own data keeping
                       and analysis skills.

 Return to top of page

5. Database Use

___ Level 1     I do not use a database.

___ Level 2 -  I understand the use of a database and locate information from a
                        pre-made database such as Library Search.

___ Level 3    I create my own databases. I define the fields and choose a layout to
                       organize information I have gathered. I use my database to answer questions                        about my information.

___ Level 4    I teach students to create and use databases to organize and analyze data.

 Return to top of page

6. Graphics Use

___ Level 1     I do not use graphics in my word processing or presentations.

___ Level 2     I open, create, and place simple pictures into documents using drawing                         programs or clipart.

___ Level 3     I edit and create graphics, placing them into documents in order to help                         clarify or amplify my message.

___ Level 4     I promote student interpretation and display of visual data using a variety
                        of tools and programs.

 Return to top of page

7. Internet Use

___ Level 1     I do not use the Internet.

___ Level 2     I access school and district websites to find information. I follow links
                         from these sites to various Internet resources.

___ Level 3     I use lists of Internet resources and make profitable use of Web search                         engines to explore educational resources.

___ Level 4     I contribute to my school or district Web sites. I teach students how to                         effectively use the resources available on the Internet.

 Return to top of page

8. Telecommunications Use (E-Mail)

___ Level 1     I have an e-mail account but I rarely use it.

___ Level 2     I send messages using e-mail - mostly to district colleagues, friends, and                          family. I check my e-mail account on a regular basis and maintain my mail                          folders in an organized manner.

___ Level 3     I incorporate e-mail use into classroom activities. I use e-mail to access                          information from outside sources.

___ Level 4     I involve my students in using e-mail to communicate with other students
                        and various kinds of experts from other states and nations.

 Return to top of page

9. Ethical Use Understanding

___ Level 1     I am not aware of any ethical issues surrounding computer use.

___ Level 2     I know that some copyright restrictions apply to computer software.

___ Level 3     I understand district rules concerning student and adult use of e-mail
                        and Internet.  I know the programs for which the district or my building 
                        holds a site license. I understand the school board policy on the use of                         copyrighted materials.

___ Level 4     I model ethical usage of all software and let my students know my personal
                        stand on this issue.

 Return to top of page

10. Information Searching

___ Level 1     I am unlikely to seek information when it is in electronic formats.

___ Level 2     I conduct simple searches with the electronic encyclopedia and library                         software for major topics.

___ Level 3     I have learned how to use a variety of search strategies on several                         information programs, including the use of Boolean (and, or, not) searches
                        to help target the search.

___ Level 4     I have incorporated logical search strategies into my work with students,                         showing them the power of such searches with various electronic sources to                         locate information which relates to their questions.

 Return to top of page

11. Video Production

___ Level 1     I do not use a video camera.

___ Level 2     I create original video tapes for home or school projects.

___ Level 3     I create original video tapes using editing equipment .

___ Level 4     I use computer programs to edit video tape presentations and I teach
                        my students to create and edit video tapes.

 Return to top of page

12. Presentation Skills

___ Level 1     I do not use computer presentation programs.

___ Level 2     I present my information to classes or groups in a single application
                        program such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, or a publishing program.

___ Level 3     I present my information and teach my class using presentation programs                         such as Powerpoint or SuperLink, incorporating various multimedia elements                         such as sound, video clips, and graphics .

___ Level 4    I teach my students how to use presentation software. I facilitate my                        students’ use of a variety of applications to persuasively present their                        research concerning a problem or area of focus in their learning.

 Return to top of page

13. Technology Integration

___ Level 1     I do not blend the use of computer-based technologies into my classroom
                         learning activities.

___ Level 2     I understand the district technology plan supports integration of technology                          into classroom activities, but I am still learning about what strategies will                          work and how to do it. I accept student work produced electronically, but
                        do not require it.

___ Level 3     From time to time, I encourage my students to employ computer-based                          technologies to support the communicating, data analysis and problem                          solving outlined in the district technology plan.

___ Level 4     I frequently model and teach my students to employ computer-based                          technologies for communication, data analysis, and problem-solving as                          outlined in the district technology plan.

 Return to top of page

This form was developed by the library media specialists and teachers of the Bellingham Public Schools who based it upon the Mankato Scale first developed by the Mankato (Minnesota) Public Schools to measure the growth of student technology skills.

 Return to Staff Development